Biochem Grad School Advice

[GingSci]

Hello all,

I am currently a Junior undergraduate student studying biochemistry at a large state university. Similar to others, I am beginning to freak out a little about graduate school applications. It's not necessarily that I'm worried that NO school will accept but I am mostly wanting to research schools that are within my reach to find a good fit. So I'll provide some information.

GPA (both): 3.2. With an upward trend for the most part. No failed courses.

GRE: I took a proctored practice exam and ended up with Q: 167 V:150. I plan on studying to increase my V score as well as take the biochem subject test.

Research: at time of application, I will have 7 semesters, one summer and one REU. The 7 semester and the summer have been in the same lab. In this lab, I started in a University program and then stayed. Additionally, I am currently a McNair scholar. During my time, I have trained 4 other undergraduates as well as performed individual research and I am in the process of paper writing and my mentor has plans to submit with me as first author. I will also have 4 poster presentations, including two at National conferences.

LORs: 1 strong letter from mentor mentioned above. 1 strong from teaching professor in biochem. 1 strong from a post doc in the lab that I have been working.

Relevant experience: Summer internship doing science education. Travel grant to the Borlaug 100 Summit on Wheat for food security focusing on science communication and agriculture.

Research interests: as of now I have a string interest in plant research and my previous research has been on a set of knocked down genes in arabidopsis. I'm still exploring a number of options to see what is out there.

The schools that I am currently interested in are Brandeis, Penn State, University of Washington, University of Missouri, U of Colorado Boulder, Vanderbilt, Colorado state univ, and Washington state university.

I am financially disadvantaged and plan on applying to 5 schools. I am hoping for some input as to what tier of schools are within a reasonable level for me as an applicant so I am not wasting money on all reach schools and preferably just one.

Thank you!

[ERR_Alpha]

I can only speak for Penn State, when I visited they basically said all they look for is research experience and above a 3.0. I think it is well within your reach. I have a higher GPA but much less research experience and I got in with a fellowship for the "most competitive applicants".

Good luck!

[Vene]

Are you applying to the school where did your REU or is that your current undergrad? Also, I'd talk to your current mentor to get an idea of programs that will fit your background and interests.

[GingSci]

Thank you!

And @Vene:I have briefly spoken to him but I sort of want a bit of a better idea of what to expect before entering that conversation. And one of those is my undergrad institution but I will not apply to the REU site.

[Vene]

Here is something you can look at http://www.petersons.com/graduate-schools.aspx I don't know exactly where they get their information, but it does provide some info on the number of people who apply to various schools and the percentage they accept. So, you may be able to use this to get some idea of how competitive different programs are, but I can't tell you if you'll be able to get into a program where they accept 10% of applicants or if you should look at programs which accept 30 of applicants.

Also, if you want to continue with plant biochemistry, by all means take a look at agricultural schools and plant science programs.

Edited February 28, 2014 by Vene

[EquationForLife]

I would definitely also consider applying to Vanderbilt since it has a free application to allow everyone to apply. Look at Biological Sciences or an entrance program like IGP or QCB to give you more flexibility/options. 

[Vene]

Now that you mention it, I think Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) also has a free application and they're a very good school.

[RatsWithHats]

Honestly, your credentials are good enough that you should just make sure you write a stellar SOP and apply anywhere that you think you would like to go. As far as a budget goes, don't let a $50-100 fee affect a process that will ultimately define the next 5-6 years of your life. For plants I would recommend checking out Berkeley, Wisconsin, Cornell, Michigan State, as well as the ones that you listed (although I'm not a plant person). Also, you should look for another LOR to replace the postdoc. Postdoc LOR might be nice as an "extra" LOR, but you should have three from professors or other similar-level professionals.

[Vene]

There are a few schools out there which don't require applications fees and some are excellent schools (Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) comes to mind). There's also the possiblity of getting a tuition waiver.

[liddy]

Washington University in St. Louis (WashU) DBBS has a free application. UNC BBSP also has a very generous fee waiver policy, that if I remember correctly, I qualified for solely by receiving any need-based financial aid for college at all (see here http://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/feewaiver.html)

[GingSci]

Thanks all for the replies. I have created my finalized list (after reviewing specific faculty members of interest) and it is as follows: 

 

University of Maryland- College Park, Penn State, Duke, Michigan State (I have a summer research program here this summer funded by the NSF) University of Michigan, University of Missouri, Colorado Boulder, University of New Hampshire, and UC Davis. 

 

I'm excited and terrified for my grad school application season to be closely approaching. thank ypu all for previous advice and if you have any additional input regarding the schools that I listed please share! 

[ERR_Alpha]

Thanks all for the replies. I have created my finalized list (after reviewing specific faculty members of interest) and it is as follows:

University of Maryland- College Park, Penn State, Duke, Michigan State (I have a summer research program here this summer funded by the NSF) University of Michigan, University of Missouri, Colorado Boulder, University of New Hampshire, and UC Davis.

I'm excited and terrified for my grad school application season to be closely approaching. thank ypu all for previous advice and if you have any additional input regarding the schools that I listed please share!

Yay Penn State!!! I'll be there in the fall if you have any questions

[groverj3]

Thanks all for the replies. I have created my finalized list (after reviewing specific faculty members of interest) and it is as follows: 

 

University of Maryland- College Park, Penn State, Duke, Michigan State (I have a summer research program here this summer funded by the NSF) University of Michigan, University of Missouri, Colorado Boulder, University of New Hampshire, and UC Davis. 

 

I'm excited and terrified for my grad school application season to be closely approaching. thank ypu all for previous advice and if you have any additional input regarding the schools that I listed please share! 

 

This is obviously waaaay late, but I did my undergrad at MSU and likely know most of the professors in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology department. I also worked in a lab there during undergrad. If you want a sort of inside opinion on professors shoot me a message. I loved the campus and city while I was there. Not sure how grad student life is there, but I can confirm that it's a great choice if you want to do plant biochemistry/molecular biology stuff! There are a lot of good professors there working in that area.